Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reason I tabled the question is because I was recently contacted by a mother in my constituency who told me that her 15-year old son was out one Saturday afternoon on his bicycle, he was stopped by a group of other teenage boys who took his bicycle and as if that was not enough they then proceeded to punch him. As a result he required significant dental reconstructive work but, worse, it also had a significant impact on his self-confidence, in particular as the incident occurred in the area in which he lives.

When the boy's mother contacted me I suggested she contact the Garda, which she did. She said the gardaí were doing their best, but as the Minister is aware, they can only respond on the basis of evidence that is available and prosecutions can only take place if there is evidence available. In the aftermath, I contacted other people and was astonished by the extent to which such assaults are happening on a very frequent basis. We do not see it in the newspapers or hear about it on the radio, but these events occur regularly to young men. In a way because young teenage boys are affected, it is regarded as being acceptable and part of growing up. It is not. No young boy should be subjected to such violence.

Since it is the case that such assaults are being committed to a large extent by teenage boys, what can be done with young offenders to prosecute them and ensure there is some deterrent in respect of these matters?

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